GDHQNHL15_2pg-Montreal Canadiens 1

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Offense
The Montreal Canadiens struggled to generate offense throughout
much of the season, but as per usual they turned it up during the
postseason. Despite scoring just 215 goals, which ranked 21st in the
league, they managed to earn 100 points and pushed themselves into the
Eastern Conference finals.
Max Pacioretty was a bright spot on offense as he cemented his status
as a big time playmaker. He had a career-high 39 goals and led the league
with 11 game-winners. Although the Canadiens have decided to go with
four assistant captains instead of one true captain now that Brian Gionta
is with the Buffalo Sabres, Pacioretty is clearly the player that teammates
look to on offense.
Teamed up with David Desharnais at center and Brendan Gallagher
at right wing, they form a formidable first line that can compete with
anyone in the league. Getting production from the rest of the lines will
be the real key.
Tomas Plekanec is not someone that Montreal will have to worry
about in any end of the ice. The reliable two-way center has been a
consistent scorer in his nine full seasons with the team. He was second
on the team with 20 goals. But his biggest contribution to the Canadiens
may have come in the offseason.
The small city of Kladno, Czech Republic has produced several NHL
players, including Plekanec, Jaromir Jagr and newly signed Jiri Sekac.
Having a familiar face around helped convince Sekac that Montreal was
the place for him. He was second in the KHL in points with 39 and could
be a huge move for the future of the Canadiens.
In another offseason move, the team traded away Daniel Briere to
the Colorado Avalanche for P.A. Parenteau. Although knee injuries really
slowed Parenteau last season, he still managed 33 points in 55 games, and
brings big time offensive potential to the team’s second line alongside
Plekanec and Alex Galchenyuk.
Rene Bourque’s play has been uninspiring in his time with the
Canadiens, but he played a pivotal role in the postseason where he scored
eight goals in 17 games after scoring just nine through the regular season.
Along the blue line, the Canadiens have a bonafide playmaker
that can wreak havoc on both ends of the ice in PK Subban. His 53
points ranked fifth in the league amongst defensemen. They also have
Andrei Markov, another veteran defenseman that’s dangerous in the
offensive end.
Defense
The Canadiens defense was consistent all season and their 204 goals
allowed ranked third in the Eastern Conference. Markov and Subban are
two of the players that will be wearing the well-deserved blanc ‘A’ on
their sweaters as team leaders. Former Norris Trophy winner Subban is
one of the most talented defenseman in the league and he is just entering
the prime of his career.
Entering his 15th season with the club, Markov has been healthy and
super productive after losing a lot of time due to knee injuries earlier in
his career. It’s likely that the Canadiens will want him to concentrate his
EASTERN CONFERENCE
ATLANTIC DIVISION
Carey Price
Montreal
CANADIENS
Key Additions:
P.A. Parenteau, Tom Gilbert, Jiri
Sekac, Manny Malhotra
Key Subtractions:
Thomas Vanek, Brian Gionta,
Josh Gorges, Daniel Briere
Strengths:
Leadership in every area, stout
defense, goaltending
Weaknesses:
Lack of secondary scoring
Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images